Best Places to Learn Basic HTML Online

The first step in anyone’s web coding journey is to learn HTML. It’s even useful to learn if you don’t have any intention of pursuing a career in tech because it demonstrates that you have diverse skills.

Here are five of the best places to learn basic HTML online, so you can get started on your coding journey.

01

Pros: If you’ve ever searched “Free HTML courses,” you probably have already come across this site. One of the more popular options on this list, Codecademy is a platform that teaches you HTML in tiny bites. The screen is split into two sides, with one that shows the effects your coding has on an HTML file. Everything is automated and marked, so it’s easy to progress through their curriculum.

Cons: Codecademy doesn’t provide a certification at the end of its courses, so it’s best used as a starting point if you want to pursue a career. Also, as SkilledUp reports, there are little “advanced and real-world examples” on Codecademy. This means that much of your Codecademy education is theoretical and mostly for exploring HTML concepts.

02

Pros: Like Codecademy, General Assembly offers free HTML projects for beginners. The big difference between the two is that GAs HTML program is goal-based with real-world applications right out of the gate, so you’re building websites with actual applications rather than just running through the concepts. Also, GA offers an online HTML course with mentorship once you’ve completed those projects. That course then ends with a certificate.

Cons: GA Dash’s free HTML projects are still pretty rudimentary and are mainly a trial for their paid courses. They’re also not an accredited institution. So, if you wanted to get federal aid to attend the full-blown HTML course, you’re on your own in that regard.

03

Pros: Lynda offers thousands of courses on various topics, including HTML. It offers a few free HTML video lessons to begin, then if you sign up for a monthly membership, you’ll have access to all of the video lessons offered by Lynda. Out of the paid options to learn HTML, Lynda is the most diverse and one of the lower-risk options.

You also can sign up for a premium membership which also gives you access to project files. Lynda also has a mobile app, so you can watch class videos anywhere you want.

Cons: There are levels of membership that can determine what you get out of the course: a slightly higher payment plan allows you to download project files. Also, unlike Codecademy and GA Dash, your work isn’t automatically marked or evaluated by a system, so you’d have to get further assistance (by joining a coding community, for example) if you need additional help or input.

04

Pros: Team Treehouse is set up similar to Lynda. The classes are videos and you need to pay for access to more material. Unlike Lynda, however, there are interactive quizzes, an online workspace, and the content is more focused on web development. Also unlike Lynda, Treehouse has a forum for each course where students can ask questions.

Cons: Courses don’t culminate with any credentials aside from the experience you’ve gained. Also, sometimes the quizzes can be too difficult to complete. Furthermore, there is additional footwork you’ll need to do if you want to learn anything more advanced.

05

Pros: W3Schools is an open book. Like Codecademy, all of the lessons are available immediately without any cost to you. And if you’d like a certificate showing your experience, it’s $95 for an HTML certificate. There are some interactive activities available and new chapters are being added all of the time to keep up with changes in the always-evolving world of web development.

Cons: Like Codecademy, W3Schools is mostly for beginners. Some in the web development community feel that advanced content should be learned elsewhere and recommend that W3Schools users utilize other resources to supplement their education.

Conclusion: HTML Has Many Uses

Starting to learn HTML doesn't need to be expensive or scary. And these five sites can provide you with fundamental HTML knowledge necessary to proceed on to bigger and better projects or classes.
If you decide you'd like to learn more advanced material, you should consider a web development/design course or boot camp to give you the skills you want.